‘The experiment is real’
Malignant is a 2013 American science-fiction horror feature film written and directed by Brian Avenet-Bradley (Echoes of Fear; Dark Remains; Free’z’er; Ghost of the Needle). The movie stars Gary Cairns, horror icon Brad Dourif, Nick Nicotera and Sienna Farall.
Plot:
After the death of his wife, a grieving alcoholic (Gary Cairns) becomes the victim of a mad doctor (Brad Dourif) and his horrific twelve-step program to “cure” him…
Reviews:
“Unfortunately, the viewer would need to be as drunk as Cairns is for much of the film to miss the incongruity, implausibility, and inconsistency of the entire effort. A plan as elaborate as the one we are asked to believe would require an X-Files-esque government conspiracy, but we get a couple of guys working out of their garages, one of whom is Dourif. Maybe.” Meet Mr. Karma
“Brad Dourif steals the show in this one. He uses his voice, facial expressions, everything to execute a monstrous and slithery villain. Truly, he is of the Karloff/Lugosi/Carradine caliber—an old school ghoul of the highest degree … good, atmospheric camerawork, competent acting, grotesque, but sparing makeup effects, a creepy soundtrack. But because the screenplay neglects so much, Malignant comes off mediocre…” Ross Peterson, Horror News
“Perhaps those more personally connected to themes of addiction struggles will find better reasons to engage with the metaphorical overtones. But above all else, “Malignant” is the partly quiet portrait of one man’s battle against grief through a realized nightmare scenario. And ultimately, the personalities providing the fulcrum are too weak to bear the weight of a moody character study burdened by this much underdeveloped psychological drama.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt
Film Facts:
The film’s working title was Black Butterflies.
Release:
Following a VOD outing, the film was released on DVD in the USA on February 17, 2015, courtesy of MVD Visual, that includes extras such as ‘Surgery for the Soul,’ an exclusive 38-minute documentary.
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